Warm water and time to slow down in the Atacama
A tour combining nature, comfort and well-being in one of the most inviting settings in the Atacama Desert, where warm water emerges amid the arid landscape and completely transforms the experience.
We leave San Pedro de Atacama in the morning and travel toward a narrow, deep canyon located approximately 30 kilometers from the village.
Along the way, the desert becomes increasingly dry and silent—until the presence of water begins to change everything.
The name itself reveals the essence of the place.
In Kunza, the ancestral language of the Atacameño people, Puri means water and Tama means hot. Puritama literally means hot water. A simple name for a place that local communities have recognized for centuries as a natural source of rest and recovery.
Upon arrival, we enter a natural canyon where the Puritama River flows, warmed by underground geothermal activity.
Seven natural pools are distributed along the river, with temperatures ranging from 28°C to 33°C—ideal for relaxing the body after days spent at altitude.
Here, time slows down.
The pools are connected by walkways and steps, allowing everyone to explore the area at their own pace. The warm, mineral-rich water surrounds the body, creating an immediate feeling of lightness and relaxation.
More than a bath, it is a moment of recovery and connection.
During the visit, we provide guidance on how long to remain in each pool, always respecting the well-being of every traveler. The setting is peaceful, surrounded by rock walls and native vegetation, with the constant sound of flowing water—a striking contrast with the desert beyond.
And that contrast is precisely where the power of this place lies.
On the return journey to San Pedro de Atacama, you can already feel the effects: your body feels more relaxed, warmer and restored.
That is why this tour is often chosen as a strategic pause between more intense experiences, supporting physical recovery and adaptation to the climate and altitude.
If you are looking for a moment to slow down, care for your body and reconnect with the rhythm of the desert, this is the tour where that experience becomes clear.
The concept behind Termas de Puritama is simple, but the feeling runs deep.
TOUR PRICE: CLP 40,000 per person
SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE: 3,500 meters
ENTRANCE FEE: CLP 38,000 per person
WHAT’S INCLUDED: Transportation and bathrobe/towel
RECOMMENDED FOR: From your first day in the Atacama